The fire, which caused $8 million in damage, isn’t the only one blamed on a forgotten cigarette. Smoking materials are the third-leading cause of fires in the city, and firefighters say they can be some of the most dangerous blazes to fight.

It’s caused many condo boards to ban smoking outright, prohibiting owners from even smoking in their own units.

The possibility of a smoking ban will be discussed by residents of the west Edmonton building.

The fact that the condo board did not already have a smoking ban in place means it will be hard to sue or press charges against the smoker responsible for the fire, according to lawyer Roberto Noce.

"Being stupid is very different from being criminally responsible," he said.

Noce says the provincial government should consider banning smoking when it tackles its new condo property act in the fall.